Analysis paralysis is one end of the spectrum; the other end is flying blind.  Sometimes people just coast along, fearing to ask questions and learn what they’ve been missing.  And it’s especially hard to change your habits when you conclude “there’s never enough time,” or that you’ve never been good with money.  This defeatist attitude […]

Those who create wealth choose their good habits.  Certain forms of discipline — typically small actions and incremental adjustments — become a part of their lives.  Self-made successes keep their eyes on the prize and “automate” decisions as often as possible.
— Susan Feitelberg, The Net Worth Workout

If you show money the respect it deserves today, and carry it through in all your actions, then one day, when you can no longer take care of it, your money will take care of you.  Respecting your relationship with money, you see, is the key not only to your security and independence, but to […]

It doesn’t matter if you are managing $50,000 a year or $50,000,000.  Unless you have a specific plan that is based on values and principles you believe in and a method to keep all of it from leaking away, you will always be in a financial mess.  That’s what debt-proof living is all about:  learning […]

In your heart, you know that nothing of lasting value comes without some measure of hard work.  And you didn’t get where you are overnight, either.  But if you follow the steps and do the work, I promise you great results.
— Mary Hunt, Debt-Proof Your Marriage

For financial stuff I always listened to my father, a Republican investment banker.  He told me if I always pay my bills with one-third, save one-third and screw around with the last third, I’ll be okay, no matter how much I earn.  It’s the one thing he said that I listened to, and I have […]

We make our plans, and then our plans turn around and make us.
— F.W. Boreham

I have found that when negative emotions control the purse strings, money will not flow purely and evenly.  When it comes to money, emotions can speak louder than reason or necessity.  Your emotions, expressed through your financial actions, have gotten you to where you are now and will continue to shape your financial future if […]

If shame, fear, or anger is at the wheel, then I can promise you, you are not on a course toward richness.  By having the courage to face and overcome your inner obstacles, however, you will change the outer trappings of your financial life forever.
— Suze Orman, The Courage to Be Rich

Most of us think of our money as existing in a pool:  Here is the pool of what I have to spend this month.  And, no matter what, the pool gets drained every month, replenished, then drained again.  But think about this.  So many of our expenses are finite — we pay for a one-time […]